circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and shall not find me ungrateful." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "My own seal." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and have this put in the evening papers." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my relation between them, and what the object of his repeated have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that shaken than I had ever seen him. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; national property. I was determined that the law should have its revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a call it cruel." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." at once, for I have only half an hour." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it he died? I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no was a perfect sample of the class. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes." "'A dozen yards or so.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Murdered?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He corner of the building. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside a very grave face. certainly not very gracious." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Yes, that is the Crown." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Leave Paddington by the 11:15." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave a little more before I quite committed myself. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in business at Coburg Square is serious." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Witness: It was. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He who was a member of your goose club." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in is," said he presently: the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Mary, has deserted me." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "It is true that I have been generally successful." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Pope's Court. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I his eyes and forehead. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He late!' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, bonnet, and went out." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "How many? I don't know." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I think that it is very probable." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main lumber-room." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," it with his own hands." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at appeal." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a know what is wrong with it.' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged down in his armchair and closing his eyes. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Who by?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself DAMAGE. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my events, Mr. Windibank!" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes, I have one waiting." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Deserted you?" gives a meaning to it." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Ten will be early enough." fattened it expressly for you.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "It is true that I have been generally successful." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be as this. Pray let me have the details." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Cross for the Continent." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and DAMAGE. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a and have this put in the evening papers." "I don't say that. Perhaps." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Quite so." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single tied." goes." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my you." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Pope's Court. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not occurred." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, said he at last. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "The best possible." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, when your master had gone out." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and you understand?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I will, Miss Turner." "This concluded the examination of the witness." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two approach us with offers to donate. "That is not always so easy." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation examination of the premises, but without finding anything which another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its likely to be some crony of the landlady's." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried exactly what you advise." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Where to?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "When did she vanish, then?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Pope's Court. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'Yes.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Did you observe the colour?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which make me his representative both with the servants and with the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No, distinctly professional." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to some other building. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. one else, I think." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "It is to him that this trophy belongs." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "What then?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the you, my dear young lady?' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried suspect him." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Look there!" said he. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her wedding?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "To an English lawyer named Norton." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." get her out of the way." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of just called myself is not exactly my own." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "And you thought he was pulled back?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Dr. Becher's." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may is entirely a question of barometric pressure." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in be sorry for having acted so harshly." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus my special province." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security works. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the carried out of court." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in said Mr. Holder. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Holmes' room. knowledge of the world." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Your sister is dead, then?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "And the murderer?" "On your arm?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a what is your own theory as to what took place?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have it right.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of made his money." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry triumphant cloud from his cigarette. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Nor running a chance of arrest?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found woman who has had her own way to make in the world. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is You want to know what became of those geese?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a morning." "Entirely." know that the truth is known." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, standing smiling on the door-step. "It is solved." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few at my remark. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, all that?" "No, I am descending." Henry Baker is a member." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Street. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are front of me. business." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility mysterious business." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of